Germ cell Tumours arise from germ cells, cells that are meant to form sperm in the testicles or eggs in the ovaries. These cells may travel to other parts of the body and form Tumours. Types of germ cell Tumours include germinomas, embryonal cell carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and teratomas. They can occur anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant. In the brain, they usually form in the center, near the pineal gland, and can spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord. Most germ cell Tumours occur in children.

Treatment of central nervous system germ cell Tumours depends on the type of cancer cells, the location of the tumour, whether the cancer can be removed in a surgical operation, and other factors.